No. H216/05For release November 7, 2005
OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced a $1 million
second call for proposals for projects that advance transportation planning and
enhance integration and connections between modes of transportation. The exact
amount awarded will depend on the quality and dollar-value of proposals
received.
"The Government of Canada understands that a safe, efficient and
environmentally sound transportation system is important to the overall
well-being and prosperity of Canadians," said Mr. Lapierre. "Initiatives like
this one demonstrate our commitment to innovation and modal integration to meet
ongoing challenges."
The types of proposals eligible for funding include:
planning and feasibility studies or projects (except for urban transit);
infrastructure and technology projects that improve connections between
modes or modal integration;
initiatives that facilitate modal partnerships or cross-modal/shipper
partnerships;
research studies that provide greater understanding of multimodal
transportation;
development and dissemination of information management tools;
innovative approaches to transportation at cross-modal hubs or transfer
points along trade corridors for the dispersal of persons or goods at ports,
airports, rail stations and other facilities;
development, diffusion and implementation of asset, freight and travel
demand management systems;
innovative approaches to the movement of freight and goods in rural and
northern areas that make more effective use of available transportation
options; and
paperless transactions or electronic commerce technology and systems in
the transportation environment.
Provinces, territories, municipalities, First Nations, registered
not-for-profit organizations, private enterprises, public or private
transportation authorities or agencies and academic institutions may apply.
Partnerships between two or more of these entities are encouraged.
To date, more than $3.5 million in funding has been granted to a total of 30
projects in all regions of the country. Four projects have been gateway and
corridor studies, fifteen have been multimodal studies and eleven projects have
been urban transportation studies.
Funding for this initiative is part of the Government of Canada's $600-million
Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, which was announced on April 3, 2001.
The program has two components: a $500-million highway construction component
and a $100-million national system integration component. Of the $100 million,
$5 million is available for studies or applied transportation initiatives that
advance transportation planning and modal integration along transportation
corridors. Approximately $1 million of these funds will be distributed to
qualified applicants under this call for proposals.
The call for proposals will be open for approximately 12 weeks, until February
1, 2006. An
applicants' guide
is available on the Internet at
http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/acg/acgd/tpmi2005/schedule.htm#APPLICATION.
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Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca
Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date
on the latest from Transport Canada..
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BACKGROUNDER
STRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
The Government of Canada is committed to improving the economy and the
quality of life for Canadians by investing in highway infrastructure across
Canada. As part of this commitment, Transport Canada announced the Strategic
Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) in April 2001. The program has two
components: a $500-million highway construction component and a $100-million
national system integration component.
Under the highway component, the Government of Canada works with the provinces
and territories to identify those parts of the National Highway System that,
because of growing traffic and increasing trade, need immediate attention. This
will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians. An
allocation formula determines how much federal funding each province and
territory receives with a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share
based on population. Provinces and territories cost-share these projects on a
50-50 basis.
Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act are undertaken before projects begin. Funding for
projects is conditional on the results of these assessments and receipt of
environmental approvals.
Under the second component of SHIP, the federal government provides $100 million
to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These
include the deployment of intelligent transportation systems across Canada,
improvements at border crossings and initiatives that improve transportation
planning and modal integration. Intelligent transportation systems include
applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic
management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response
management and vehicle safety.
The program continues the Government of Canada's long tradition of highway
funding that started more than 80 years ago. In fact, Transport Canada will have
invested more than $1.8 billion between 1993 and 2004 to improve highways across
Canada. The federal government also invests in transportation-related
infrastructure through other programs such as the Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund.
For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, please
visit www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP/menu.htm.
November 2005
